College credit Phlebotomy Technician Program classes are listed in the college credit course schedule as Lecture/Lab - PLAB 1323 and Clinical - PLAB 1166. You must register for both classes.

The Phlebotomy Technician Program also requires one hundred and twelve (112) clinical hours, Clinical -PLAB 1166. When you enroll in the Phlebotomy Technician clinical course, Clinical -PLAB 1166, the dates/times will be listed as TBA in the course schedule.

Clinical assignments are assigned by the instructor from available dates/times/locations approved by the clinical affiliates.

The schedule will be provided to the student prior to the practicum.

Students will be required to attend clinical assignments Monday through Friday during daytime hours.

Eight hour days are preferred but shorter rotation days will be allowed with no less than four (4) hours per day during eight (8) week semesters and six (6) hour days during the short five and half (5.5) week summer semester.

All students must attend all assigned clinicals in order to complete the mandated training requirements for certification.

The program has a strict rule that students may not miss more than two (2) days of the total class time for any reason. Absences for reasons other than illness or emergencies WILL NOT be tolerated.

Non-Academic Requirements

Because of the inherent requirements of the profession, certain minimum abilities (technical standards) of applicants are expected. These include:

The applicant must have the necessary eye-hand coordination and finger dexterity required to achieve the psychomotor objectives in each teaching section. These objectives include, but are not limited to, the prescribed use of pipettes, tubes, slides, culture media, phlebotomy equipment, inoculation and reagent application devices, and instrument operation devices.

The applicant must have the necessary visual acuity (normal or corrected vision) to achieve the psychomotor and cognitive objectives that require the ability to distinguish color, read instrument scales and quality control charts, and enter and review data during use of laboratory analytical and computer equipment.

The applicant must be fluent in English and possess adequate communication skills to permit regular, routine, timely, and productive interactions with faculty members, physicians, patients, and other students.

The applicant must be able to promptly respond in emergency situations, react appropriately, and at all times exercise judgment associated with responsible practice of the clinical laboratory profession.

The applicant must demonstrate the emotional health required for full utilization of intellectual abilities. An applicant must be able to tolerate physical and emotionally taxing workloads and function effectively under stress.

The applicant must be able to sustain professional activities for protracted periods of time under conditions of physical and emotional stress.

This Program operates in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act and all other applicable state and federal laws. The Program reserves the right to require the applicant to physically demonstrate any of the above skills. It is the responsibility of the applicant / student to notify the Program officials if there is any reason why the abilities/expectations described above cannot be met.

New students are required to read the Phlebotomy Technician Student Handbook, and to sign and return the Statement of Understanding, Release of Student Information and Consent to Drug Screening forms to Instructors prior to the first day of class.

Laboratory Requirements

In order to develop proficiency in blood collection procedures it is necessary that students practice these skills on each other.

These blood collection procedures will only be performed UNDER THE DIRECT SUPERVISION AND GUIDANCE OF THE INSTRUCTOR.

The instructor will evaluate each student, along with the phlebotomy student, to determine whether or not an individual can be used for the practice sessions. Students with difficult veins will not be drawn.

You must fill out and sign the Informed Consent form. PLEASE PRINT THIS OUT NOW and submit the completed form with your application.

Failure to agree to participate in the laboratory activities may prevent you from participating in the clinical rotation assignment. Clinical affiliates expect students to have basic blood collection skills.

Regulatory Authority and Certification

The Austin Community College Phlebotomy Technician Program is approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). They require all applicants for Phlebotomy Technican Program certification to hold a high school diploma or GED.

Completion of the Phlebotomy Technician classes at ACC (or any other training agency) does not confer PHB certification upon an individual by itself. The granting of Phlebotomy Technician certificate IS NOT contingent upon passing a national certification exam. Successful completion of the Phlebotomy Technician classes is only one step in allowing a person to take the National Registry written certification exam. A student must apply for and pass this exam. Several agencies nationally certify Phlebotomy Technicians, visit the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP or review the PBT application booklet).